RRMC Earns Blue Distinction^® Center’s+ Designation for Knee/Hip Replacement & Spine Surgery

RUTLAND, VT – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross) has selected Rutland Regional Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee/Hip Replacement and Spine Surgery. This designation is part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies with input from the medical community.

Rutland Regional Medical Center is currently the sole Blue Distinction® Center+ for Knee/Hip Replacement and Spine Surgery in the state of Vermont.

“With this distinction, Rutland Regional Medical Center and the Vermont Orthopaedic Clinic, are considered the top in their class for providing orthopedic service,” said Dr. Philip Lapp, Vice President, Medical Affairs, at RRMC. “The collaboration and partnership between the expert surgeons at RRMC’s Vermont Orthopaedic Clinic and the highly-skilled members of our surgical teams, ensure the best results and recovery for our patients.”

Hospitals designated as a Blue Distinction Center+ demonstrate expertise in the delivery of quality specialty care and are evaluated based on quality, safety, and cost of care criteria. The Blue Distinction Center+ (plus) designation further recognizes facilities that offer more affordable care. This program aims to help consumers find quality care and encourages healthcare professionals to improve the overall quality of healthcare.

“The orthopaedic team is dedicated to continually improving outcomes for patients,” said Dr. Mel Boynton, Medical Director of the Vermont Orthopaedic Clinic at Rutland Regional Medical Center. “This recognition further underscores the collaborative spirit across the entire organization, focused on ensuring the best possible patient experience and outcomes.”

The Blue Distinction Centers for Hip/Knee Replacement and Spine surgery provides access to high-quality and affordable orthopedic care, close to home. The result of this designation assures that designated providers are committed to protecting the health and safety of each patient by using evidence-based orthopedic and surgical health care practices.

Designated hospitals must also maintain national accreditation.

Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality providers for their specialty care needs in the areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, knee and hip replacements, maternity care, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging healthcare professionals to continually improve the care they deliver.

For more information about the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.